Gene Addis Bristo

   Gene Addis Bristo, 75 of Vernon, died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014 in Wichita Falls. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014 in the Sullivan Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Joe Kohler.
   Gene was born on March 23, 1939. He was the son off the late W.L. Bristo and the late Bess Vaught Bristo. He married Cathy West on March 24, 1977.
   Gene taught vocational agriculture for nine years at Paducah where he also refereed basketball games and was a volunteer fireman. He also taught vocational agriculture and horticulture in Vernon for 28 years where his leadership team won many honors.
   Whatever Gene did he did it with all his heart and that brought a devotion to his classes, students and profession.  He was also an entrepreneur. He was a partner in a monument company for several years. He developed and patented a new grass, Addis Grass. He also developed a horticulture therapy program, which he and his students implemented at Wood Convalescent Center and Tangram Rehabilitation Network in Austin, where he worked with patients with traumatic brain injuries.
   Gene loved the “Art of the Deal” and spent many hours buying , selling and trading cattle, cars, land, silver, guns and almost anything that gave him the fun of making a good deal. He had many hobbies, woodworking, fishing, coin collecting and hunting with his family. He loved his family and loved being at home in his favorite recliner. Where others saw loss, Gene saw opportunity. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
   Gene is survived by his wife, Cathy Bristo; two daughters, Gena Elizabeth Bristo, Jill Leigh Bristo Ratterman and husband Randy; two sons, Tragene Addis Bristo, Jeffrey Lynn Bristo and wife Laura. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Kelly Bristo, Joshua Bristo, Rachel Bristo, Carson Bristo, Spencer Bristo, Bennett Bristo, Drew Ratterman and Ella Rattermen.
   He was preceded in death by his father and mother, his twin brother Jerry Addis Bristo, and his brother, W.L. Bristo, and two grandsons, Dustin Wayne Plyler and Ryan Gene Johnson.
   Visitation will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday until service time at Sullivan Funeral Home.
   Memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church or the American Diabetes Association.
   Online condolences may be made to the family at www.sullivanfuneralhomevernon.com